application: strategies to reduce reoffending

Question 1

what is restorative justice?

Answer 1

when the victim of a crime meets the offender and they discuss why the victim was targeted (was it random) and any reasons that the offender committed the crime - helps rehabilitate e.g., drug programme

Question 2

why is restorative justice effective?

Answer 2

• offenders coming face to face with consequences of actions - guilt and shame
• reduces reoffending by 50% whereas 2/3 go back to prison in first year
• 85% describe as positive experience

Question 3

what are community based employment schemes?

Answer 3

programmes that focus on building up skills and training for employment on release - social reintegration

Question 4

why are community based employment schemes effective?

Answer 4

• Gillis and Nafekh found that 70% of those employed successfully completed their conditional release
• 55% of unemployed complete conditional release

Question 5

why are prisons effective?

Answer 5

• assumption is that they are going to reoffend whilst locked up
• highly effective PUNISHMENT
• benefits outweigh costs
• behaviourism = learn from consequences
• deterrent through vicarious positive reinforcement

Question 6

why are prisons not effective?

Answer 6

• overcrowding, threats of violence, negative psychological effect, vulnerable to suicidal thoughts and worsening mental health
• rates of reoffending high (1 in 4 within first year)
• high recidivism rates - does not work as individual deterrent